Balsam Tree
Colophospermum mopane
- Native to:
- Angola, Botswana, Caprivi Strip, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Roger Culos,Roger Culos,Roger Culos,Tim Brunauer on behalf of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ),This Photo (upload.wikimedia.org) was taken by Timothy A. Gonsalves . Feel free to use my photos, but please mention me as the author. I would much appreciate if you send me an email tagooty@gmail.com or write on my talk page (commons.wikimedia.org) , for,This Photo (upload.wikimedia.org) was taken by Timothy A. Gonsalves . Feel free to use my photos, but please mention me as the author. I would much appreciate if you send me an email tagooty@gmail.com or write on my talk page (commons.wikimedia.org) , for,This Photo (upload.wikimedia.org) was taken by Timothy A. Gonsalves . Feel free to use my photos, but please mention me as the author. I would much appreciate if you send me an email tagooty@gmail.com or write on my talk page (commons.wikimedia.org) , for,Teo Gómez,Tim Brunauer on behalf of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ),Roger Culos,Bernard DUPONT (www
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Colophospermum
- Species:
- Colophospermum mopane
- USDA Symbol:
- COMO14
Growth Characteristics
- Height:
- 1800 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jan,feb,mar
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow-green
Reported Fauna Sightings
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- browsing mammals, elephants, birds
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Mopane is fire-tolerant; mature trees survive low-intensity fires and resprout after fire.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- poor, sandy, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Thrives in arid and semi-arid regions
Propagation & Germination
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 7–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require scarification (nicking or hot water treatment) to break physical dormancy.